Revolver cylinder reloader

ABSTRACT

An elongated strap of shape retentive, resilient and deformable material which may be rolled up into position with its ends in end abutted relation to form a hollow generally cylindrical body at least substantially closed at one end and including a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending fingers arranged in a concentric circular pattern within the body. The fingers are formed integrally with the body and project from the closed end thereof toward the open end thereof. The opposing surfaces of the fingers and circumferentially spaced inner wall portions of the body define cylindrical recesses in which to endwise seatingly receive the base ends of cartridge shells. The length of the fingers from the closed end of the body to the free ends of the fingers is considerably less than the axial extent of the cylindrical body defined by the rolled strap and when the open end of the body is abutted against the rear of a revolver cylinder and forward pressure is applied to the center of the closed end of the body cartridge shells within the recesses defined by the body are at least partially ejected from the recesses whereby the cartridge shells are displaced toward the more flexible free ends of the fingers and the friction of the fingers on the imposing inner surfaces of the body on the cartridge shells is reduced to allow the latter to fall by gravity from the recesses when the body is oriented in a downwardly opening position.

United States Etent [191 Price Jan. 15, 31974 REVOLVER CYLINDER RELOADER Joe C. Price, 4913 Princeton St., Amarillo, Tex. 79109 22 Filed: Feb. 7, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 224,073

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Benjamn A. Borchelt Assistant ExaminerC. T. Jordan Attorney-Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT An elongated strap of shape retentive, resilient and deformable material which may be rolled up into position with its ends in end abutted relation to form a hollow generally cylindrical body at least substantially closed at one end and including a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending fingers arranged in a concentric circular pattern within the body. The fingers are formed integrally with the body and project from the closed end thereof toward the open end thereof. The opposing surfaces of the fingers and circumferentially spaced inner wall portions of the body define cylindrical recesses in which to endwise seatingly receive the base ends of cartridge shells. The length of the fingers from the closed end of the body to the free ends of the fingers is considerably less than the axial extent of the cylindrical body defined by the rolled strap and when the open end of the body is abutted against the rear of a revolver cylinder and forward pressure is applied to the center of the closed end of the body cartridge shells within the recesses defined by the body are at least partially ejected from the recesses whereby the cartridge shells are displaced toward the more flexible free ends of the fingers and the friction of the fingers on the imposing inner surfaces of the body on the cartridge shells is reduced to allow the latter to fall by gravity from the recesses when the body is oriented in a downwardly opening position.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures masgaw PATENTEBJM: 15 975 REVOLVER CYLINDER RELOADER The revolver cylinder loader of the instant invention has been primarily designed to provide a means whereby all of the chambers in a revolver cylinder may be quickly and simultaneously loaded with cartridges.

Similar devices such as that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,21 3,559 to Donald Matich, dated Oct. 26, 1965 have been heretofore designed. This previous device is similar to the instant apparatus in that it comprises a belt which may be rolled in order to form a cylindrical body defining circumferentially spaced and axially opening cartridge receiving chambers. However, the manner of releasing the cartridges from the Matich patent apparatus involves stripping the rolled belt from the cartridges supported thereby after the forward ends of the cartridges have been inserted into the revolver cylinder bores and this stripping action. can be carried out in manners other than that prescribed to result in the belt incurring damage rendering its further use questionable or in a manner to cause one or more of the cartridges placed in position thereby to be pulled rearwardly from the supporting revolver cylinder.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide a revolver cylinder loader which may be utilized to simultaneously load all of the chambers in a revolver cylinder in a substantially foolproof manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a revolver cylinder loader in accordance with the preceding object and which may be actuated to simultaneously release the associated cartridges from the loader after the cartridges have been at least partially inserted into the revolver cylinder bores.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a revolver cylinder loader in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming as part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the revolver cylinder loader in a stretched-out position;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 1 as seen from the left side thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 1 as seen from the top side thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the revolver cylinder loader as seen from the top side thereof after having been rolled into a cylindrical configuration and with parts of the loader being broken away and illustrated in transverse section; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of a conventional form of revolver with the cylinder thereof swung to one side and the reloader of the instant invention in use in simultaneously loading all of the bores of the revolver cylinder.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the revolver cylinder reloader of the instant invention. The reloader 10 comprises an elongated strap or belt 12 including opposite ends 14 and 16 and opposite side marginal edges 18 and 20.

The strap 12 is constructed of any suitable material which is shape retentive, resilient and deformable. Such a material may be rubber or Neoprene.

The strap 12 includes integral longitudinally spaced flanges 22 disposed along and projecting laterally outwardly of one side of the longitudinal edge 18 of the strap 12. The flanges 22 are generally triangular in plan shape and include corresponding base edge portions extending along and formed integrally with the side edge 18 and corresponding outer apices 24 which are somewhat rounded.

The apices 24 include laterally directed fingers 26 formed integrally therewith and the fingers and confronting longitudinally spaced portions of the opposing side 28 of the strap 12 define cylindrical recesses 30 opening endwise outwardly of the side edge 20 of the strap 12. The aforementioned opposing surfaces include semi-cylindrical recesses 32 formed in and spaced along the side surface 28 of the belt 12 and partial cylindrical recesses 34 formed in the opposing faces 36 of the fingers 26. Further, it will be noted that the longitudinal extent of the fingers 26 is considerably less than the width of the strap 12 extending between the side edges 18 and 20 thereof.

One end of the belt or strap 12 is provided with an anchor lug 40 and the other end of the strap 12 is provided with an anchor hook 42 which is removably engageable with the lug 40 when the strap 12 is rolled into the cylindrical configuration illustrated in FIG. 6. Engagement of the hook 42 with the lug 40 as illustrated in FIG. 6 serves to secure the ends of the strap 12 in end abutting relation.

It will be noted that the triangular configuration of the flanges 22 and the resiliency and deformability of the material of which the strap 12 is constructed enables the strap 12 to be rolled into a cylindrical configuration with adjacent sides 46 of the flanges 22 abutted against each other and the flanges 22 being disposed in side-by-side relation in order to form an end wall for the cylindrical body which is formed when the strap 12 is rolled into the position illustrated in FIG. 6.

The ends of the semi-cylindrical surfaces 32 adjacent the flanges 22 have semi-circular grooves 44 formed therein and the opposing portions of the base ends of the fingers 26 have similar grooves 46 formed therein. The grooves 44 and 46 serve to define an enlarged inner end portion of the cylindrical recesses defined between the surfaces 28 and 36 in order to receive the enlarged flanges 48 on the base ends of the shells 50 of the cartridges 52.

In operation, the cartridges 52 are, of course, first endwise seated in the recesses 30 when the strap 12 is in its stretched-out position illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. Thereafter, when it is desired to load a revolver cylinder such as the cylinder 54 of the revolver 56 illustrated in FIG. 7, the strap 12 is rolled into a cylindrical configuration such as that illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings with the hook 42 engaged with the lug 40. Thereafter, the revolver cylinder 54 is swung outwardly of the frame of the revolver 56 and the projecting ends of the cartridges 52 are aligned with and inserted into the rear ends of the bores 58 formed in the cylinder 54 with the reloader having the side edge 20 of the strap 12 thereof abutted against the outer peripheral portion of the rear end of the cylinder 54. Thereafter, finger pressure may be applied on the center of the end wall of the reloader 10 defined by the flanges 22 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. This finger pressure will of course cause the adjacent innermost sides of the cartridges 50 to be displaced at least slightly outwardly of the recesses 30 and to thereby displace the enlarged flanges on the base ends of the cartridges 50 out of the grooves 44 and 46. As soon as the cartridges 52 have been displaced sufficiently in a downward direction the base ends thereof are registered with portions of the fingers 26 spaced from the base ends thereof and therefore the more readily deflected portions of the fingers 26. In this position, the fingers 26 exert considerably less frictional engagement with the shell 50 and the cartridges 52 are thus free to fall downwardly into the bores 58 by gravity when the revolver 56 is held in the muzzle downward position thereof illustrated in FIG. 7.

In order to enhance the release of the cartridges 52 from the reloader 10, the longitudinal side edge 20 of the strap 12 has \/-shaped notches 60 formed therein at points spaced longitudinally therealong between adjacent surfaces or faces 28. Thus, upon initial outward displacement of the cartridges 52 by the finger pressure illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the surfaces 28 also enjoy less frictional engagement with the shells 50 whereby the latter may more readily fall by gravity downwardly into the bores 58 of the revolver cylinder 54.

In addition, the groove 44 is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape wherein the groove 46 includes a beveled lower side wall to facilitate release of the flanges 48 of the shells 50 after finger pressure has been applied to the center of the end wall of the reloader 10 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings, such finger pressure being previously effective in unseating the flanges 48 from the grooves 44.

It will further be noted that the reloader 10 includes a pair of integral belt-engaging clips 64 carried by the opposite end portions of the strap 12 and which may of course be utilized in supporting the strap 12 from the belt of a user.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An apparatus for loading cartridges having end flanges into a cylinder of a revolver, said apparatus including an elongated flexible strap having integral longitudinally spaced flanges projecting laterally outwardly to one side of said strap from one side edge thereof, the outer free marginal portions of said flanges including generally right-angulated fingers substantially paralleling and opposing said one side of said strap, said fingers and the confronting portions of said one side of said strap including opposing contoured surface portions defining generally cylindrical recesses opening outwardly of the other side edge of said strap, said strap, flanges and fingers being constructed of shaperetentive but resilient and bendable material and said strap being bendable into a rolled-up position with the opposite ends thereof in end opposing relation and said recesses disposed within the confines of said strap, said fingers being of a length at least substantially less than the width of said strap.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fingers are relatively narrow and extend less than about the recesses defined in part thereby.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the other side edge of said strap has a plurality of relatively wide longitudinally spaced edgewise outwardly opening notches formed therein between said confronting portions of said one side of said strap.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flanges taper in width toward the free ends thereof and are generally triangular in plan shape with the apices thereof disposed innermost when said strap is rolled up, said apices being at least somewhat rounded.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said contoured surface portions of said one side of said strap define laterally outwardly opening grooves immediately adjacent said flanges which, when said strap is rolled up, define shell flange retaining grooves for seatingly receiving the flanges of cartridges endwise seated in said recesses.

6. An apparatus for loading cartridges having end flanges into a cylinder of a revolver, said apparatus comprising a body of resilient, shape-retentive and dcformable material and defining a generally cylindrical outer wall including circumferentially spaced inner surface portions contoured to form inwardly opening parallel semi-cylindrical recesses extending axially of said body, said body including integral end wall means closing one set of corresponding ends of said recesses, said end wall means including integral elongated and generally parallel circumferentially spaced resilient fingers spaced radially inwardly of said cylindrical outer wall and opposing said recesses, the spacing between the confronting surfaces of said recesses and said fingers being substantially twice the radius of curvature of said recesses, whereby cylindrical cartridge shells may be seated in said recesses between said fingers and said cylindrical outer wall in a circular pattern within said outer wall and the base ends of said shells opposing said end wall means, said fingers being shorter in length than the axial extent of said cylindrical outer wall.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said cylindrical outer wall includes endwise outwardly opening notches formed in the end thereof remote from said end wall means and disposed between pairs of adjacent semi-cylindrical recesses.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein the portions of said inner surface portions of said cylindrical outer wall adjacent said end wall means define semicylindrical enlarged grooves and centered with said semi-cylindrical recesses and immediately adjacent said end wall means for receiving the end flanges of cartridges disposed in said semi-cylindrical recesses therein.

9. An apparatus for loading cartridges into a cylinder of a revolver, said apparatus including an elongated flexible strap having integral longitudinally spaced flanges projecting laterally outwardly to one side of said strap from one side edge thereof, the outer free marginal portions of said flanges including generally within the confines of said strap.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein each cartridge has an end flange and said contoured surface portions of said one side of said strap define laterally outwardly opening grooves immediately adjacentsaid flanges which, when said strap is rolled-up, define shell flange retaining grooves for seatingly receiving the end flanges of cartridges endwise seated in said recesses. 

1. An apparatus for loading cartridges having end flanges into a cylinder of a revolver, said apparatus including an elongated flexible strap having integral longitudinally spaced flanges projecting laterally outwardly to one side of said strap from one side edge thereof, the outer free marginal portions of said flanges including generally right-angulated fingers substantially paralleling and opposiNg said one side of said strap, said fingers and the confronting portions of said one side of said strap including opposing contoured surface portions defining generally cylindrical recesses opening outwardly of the other side edge of said strap, said strap, flanges and fingers being constructed of shape-retentive but resilient and bendable material and said strap being bendable into a rolled-up position with the opposite ends thereof in end opposing relation and said recesses disposed within the confines of said strap, said fingers being of a length at least substantially less than the width of said strap.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fingers are relatively narrow and extend less than 90* about the recesses defined in part thereby.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the other side edge of said strap has a plurality of relatively wide longitudinally spaced edgewise outwardly opening notches formed therein between said confronting portions of said one side of said strap.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flanges taper in width toward the free ends thereof and are generally triangular in plan shape with the apices thereof disposed innermost when said strap is rolled up, said apices being at least somewhat rounded.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said contoured surface portions of said one side of said strap define laterally outwardly opening grooves immediately adjacent said flanges which, when said strap is rolled up, define shell flange retaining grooves for seatingly receiving the flanges of cartridges endwise seated in said recesses.
 6. An apparatus for loading cartridges having end flanges into a cylinder of a revolver, said apparatus comprising a body of resilient, shape-retentive and deformable material and defining a generally cylindrical outer wall including circumferentially spaced inner surface portions contoured to form inwardly opening parallel semi-cylindrical recesses extending axially of said body, said body including integral end wall means closing one set of corresponding ends of said recesses, said end wall means including integral elongated and generally parallel circumferentially spaced resilient fingers spaced radially inwardly of said cylindrical outer wall and opposing said recesses, the spacing between the confronting surfaces of said recesses and said fingers being substantially twice the radius of curvature of said recesses, whereby cylindrical cartridge shells may be seated in said recesses between said fingers and said cylindrical outer wall in a circular pattern within said outer wall and the base ends of said shells opposing said end wall means, said fingers being shorter in length than the axial extent of said cylindrical outer wall.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said cylindrical outer wall includes endwise outwardly opening notches formed in the end thereof remote from said end wall means and disposed between pairs of adjacent semi-cylindrical recesses.
 8. The combination of claim 6 wherein the portions of said inner surface portions of said cylindrical outer wall adjacent said end wall means define semi-cylindrical enlarged grooves and centered with said semi-cylindrical recesses and immediately adjacent said end wall means for receiving the end flanges of cartridges disposed in said semi-cylindrical recesses therein.
 9. An apparatus for loading cartridges into a cylinder of a revolver, said apparatus including an elongated flexible strap having integral longitudinally spaced flanges projecting laterally outwardly to one side of said strap from one side edge thereof, the outer free marginal portions of said flanges including generally right-angulated fingers substantially paralleling and opposing said one side of said strap, said fingers and the confronting portions of said one side of said strap including opposing contoured surface portions defining generally cylindrical recesses opening outwardly of the other side edge of said strap, said strap, flanges and fingers beIng constructed of shape-retentive but resilient and bendable material and said strap being bendable into a rolled-up position with the opposite ends thereof in end opposing relation and said recesses disposed within the confines of said strap.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein each cartridge has an end flange and said contoured surface portions of said one side of said strap define laterally outwardly opening grooves immediately adjacent said flanges which, when said strap is rolled-up, define shell flange retaining grooves for seatingly receiving the end flanges of cartridges endwise seated in said recesses. 